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| - Echo Coffee is the place in Scottsdale that most reminds me of the kind of coffeehouses back home that I liked to visit - quiet, good place to study, excellent drinks and sandwiches, and not too pretentious or hipster.
First, the atmosphere is fantastic. There is the prerequisite lounge-y area with the overstuffed couches and coffee table where people can read a book or meet up with friends. But the main area is filled with tables and chairs - almost like a library - and there are plugs available everywhere. This place was meant for people who intend to get some work done.
I've only had the drip coffee and the iced tea, and both were fantastic. The drip isn't charred or burned tasting, and still has that natural sweetness that proper coffee should. Creaming and sugaring good coffee like this should be a crime. The iced tea is unsweetened, but is accented with some fruit flavors.
They have an honest to goodness chef on staff, so the sandwiches on the menu are actually pretty good. The turkey and brie, the pressed Cuban, and the pesto chicken, all simple and all excellent. One huge plus for this place... and it adds to the ambiance more than you'd think - they use real, high quality plates, cups, and glassware for folks eating in. This is beyond restaurant grade, it's pretty much the nice stuff that your mom keeps in a drawer and takes out for special occasions. Yes, this makes a difference.
Prices are a little on the high side and it doesn't take much of a crowd before it's way too crowded. Remains the only coffee shop I visit when I'm in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.
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